Know An Outstanding Woman in Ag? Nominate Her for the WIA Demeter Award
By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (March 4, 2025)
For more than a decade, Women in Agribusiness has been recognizing exceptional achievements in the ag sector through its WIA Demeter Award of Excellence. Now is the time to think of all the amazing, hardworking, influential women you know in the sector (yourself included!) and nominate them (self-nominations are welcome) for this honor.
Three women are chosen each year for their outstanding accomplishments in the sector and whether that be excelling in directing the budgets of million-dollar businesses, introducing ground-breaking new products, organizing and managing women’s leadership groups, or being stand-out mentors, each woman’s path shines for a different reason, all worth recognizing.
And for some, like 2024 WIA Award recipient Sharon Beals, executive director of Women’s Meat Industry Network (WMIN), the reward could be no sweeter than having your young daughter (Rachel) nominate you because:
“She [Sharon] is passionate about lifting people up and ensuring that they have a voice. She is not shy about calling people out on wrong behaviors and believes everyone should have a right to accessible and affordable food.”
Or take Elzandi Oosthiuzen, who is senior vice president, head crop technology corn, soy & cotton for Bayer Crop Science, who was nominated as a role model and champion for women in agriculture who focuses on mentorship and ensuring diverse voices are heard.
“I’ve been very blessed with having exceptional leaders throughout my career – teammates, peers, mentors and coaches who have turned into sponsors, and I’ve been part of teams where we believe that a team is always stronger than the most brilliant individual member. I am grateful for this,” said Oosthiuzen at the 2024 WIA Summit while accepting her award.
The importance of teamwork has been consistently noted by Demeter recipients, like Ebony Webber, who is CEO for MANRRS, which promotes academic and professional advancement for minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.
“This [Demeter Award] recognition is not just a reflection of my individual efforts, but it embodies the strength and support of the incredible community around me. The MANNRS theme this year ‘I am because you are’ resonates deeply with me. It reminds me that our identities and achievements are intertwined with those of others. We grow not in isolation but in connection with our family, friends, mentors and communities… As we celebrate this moment, let’s remember the importance of uplifting one another. Together we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This award is a testament to collaboration, compassion and the shared journey we embark on together,” said Webber.
Learn more about the 2024 WIA Demeter Award recipients here, and all those who have been recognized since 2013.
And remember that woman in ag who has provided guidance, shared resources and time, exhibited stellar leadership skills or cleared the path for others to succeed, and nominate her for this year’s 2025 WIA Demeter Award of Excellence.
The nomination period is now open, and the form and guidelines can be found here. Deadline to submit is Friday, June 20.
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